Pillars of the Community reflect HAAM’s impact on Lake Houston areas

Melanie Feuk, mfeuk@hconline.com

Updated 6:39 pm, Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Judy Thigpen introduces 2017 Pillars of the Community honorees Byron and Ginger Bertrand during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club March 31. From left to right: Byron Bertrand, Ginger Bertrand, Judy Thigpen, James Thigpen. less

Judy Thigpen introduces 2017 Pillars of the Community honorees Byron and Ginger Bertrand during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club March 31. From left to right: Byron Bertrand, ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Darryal Chandler gives an acceptance speech on behalf of him and his wife Connie Chandler who were one of the couples honored at the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at the Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31. From left to right: Geralyn Sullivan, Danny Sullivan, Connie Chandler, Darryal Chandler. less

Darryal Chandler gives an acceptance speech on behalf of him and his wife Connie Chandler who were one of the couples honored at the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at the Kingwood Country Club Friday, ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Honorees Marlene Kopta (left) and Frank Kopta (center) pose for a photo with Reverend Barbara Bartling of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Kingwood during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31. less

Honorees Marlene Kopta (left) and Frank Kopta (center) pose for a photo with Reverend Barbara Bartling of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Kingwood during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Danny and Geralyn Sullivan, honorees at last year's Pillars of the Community event, pose with 2017 Pillars of the Community honorees Connie and Darryal Chandler during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31. less

Danny and Geralyn Sullivan, honorees at last year's Pillars of the Community event, pose with 2017 Pillars of the Community honorees Connie and Darryal Chandler during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Lieutenant Chris Salazar with the Houston Police Department Kingwood Division is the guest speaker during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Lieutenant Chris Salazar with the Houston Police Department Kingwood Division is the guest speaker during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Millie Garrison, HAAM executive director, and Terry Vaughn, HAAM board president, welcome guests to the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Millie Garrison, HAAM executive director, and Terry Vaughn, HAAM board president, welcome guests to the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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One of the event's live auction items was a eight-week-old chocolate lab puppy donated byÂ Leigh Marcus of ReMax Associates for the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31. less

One of the event's live auction items was a eight-week-old chocolate lab puppy donated byÂ Leigh Marcus of ReMax Associates for the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Katie and Kurtz Stowers welcome an eight-week-old chocolate lab into their family after having won the live auction for the puppy during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club March 31. less

Katie and Kurtz Stowers welcome an eight-week-old chocolate lab into their family after having won the live auction for the puppy during the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club March ... more

Photo: Melanie Feuk

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Guests raise their glasses during a toast given by Jamie Selby of Kingwood Country Club at the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Guests raise their glasses during a toast given by Jamie Selby of Kingwood Country Club at the HAAM Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club Friday, March 31.

Photo: Melanie Feuk

Pillars of the Community reflect HAAM’s impact on Lake Houston areas

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Lt. Chris Salazar, of the Houston Police Department Kingwood Division, choked back tears as she relayed the story of how Humble Area Assistance Ministries helped a family in the midst of hardship after a fatal accident in Huffman.HAAM is a faith-based organization providing help and resources to community members in crisis. Salazar served as the guest speaker during HAAM's annual Pillars of the Community event at Kingwood Country Club on Friday, March 31."The story begins on Dec. 3, 2016," Salazar said. "Young parents William and Cynthia Devening, their 10-year-old daughter Elizabeth, 6-year-old Clifton and their close family friend, 25-year-old Courtney Anderson, were all in a car together excited for the night's festivities. They were en route to a Christmas party."Traveling westbound on FM 1960 in Huffman, a white GMC Yukon swerved and clipped the Devenings' Mazda 3. The impact sent their car careening into oncoming traffic and head-on into a red Dodge Durango."First responders on the scene, I knew quite a few of them, they'd been on for years," Salazar said. "They witnessed some catastrophic, horrific accidents in their life. One person in particular said that it was the worst accident he had ever seen. It resembled a bomb going off — like the vehicle just exploded on impact."William, Cynthia and Elizabeth suffered severe injuries from the wreck."Unfortunately, there were no signs of life in Courtney Anderson — only 25 years old — and no signs of life in little Clifton, no matter the efforts given," Salazar said.An officer who had worked the scene the night of the wreck made Salazar aware of the Devenings' situation and asked what resources were available to help the family."The one that came to mind immediately was HAAM," Salazar said.Salazar called HAAM executive director Millie Garrison and explained the family's situation."The next day, she had groceries; she had grocery cards; she had a shower chair, which I thought would be a little harder to get; (she had) clothing that was needed — it was amazing – delivered to me the next day," Salazar said.After discovering the family was behind on their mortgage, Garrison and HAAM sprang into action."HAAM is just so wonderful that they are going to have their mortgage paid for the next six months," Salazar said.The Pillars of the Community event is HAAM's annual fundraiser, during which the community is asked to help support its mission of providing help and hope."Just once a year, we invite the community to participate in our major fundraiser," Terry Vaughn, HAAM board president, said. "Pillars is an opportunity for you to help us continue our mission of help and hope. Frankly, what we accomplish with your donations is astounding."In 2016, HAAM served nearly 15,000 individuals with more than 70,000 requests for service. HAAM also distributed more than 2,200 nutrition packs to almost 1,000 families of school-age children thanks to a foundation grant from the Anderson Foundation."More than 1,200 clients attended our job center," Vaughn said. "Twelve-hundred families, representing more than 4,000 individuals, received holiday meals. More than 1,700 children received Christmas toys. Our Food Pantry provided food to 3,300 families."HAAM collaborates with many other community organizations, including with Interfaith Ministries to bring Meals on Wheels to seniors, as well as the Houston Food Bank and Montgomery County Food Bank to distribute fresh produce to nearly 2,000 families.Each year, HAAM recognizes community members as "Pillars of the Community" for their support and contributions to HAAM.Three couples were chosen as the 2017 Pillars of the Community honorees: Byron and Ginger Bertrand, Darryal and Connie Chandler, and Frank and Marlene Kopta.The Bertrands have organized five HAAM food drives at St. Martha's Catholic Church. This year, they also will host their fifth annual Stocking Toy Drive in which they collect gifts for children.Ginger Bertrand is a seven-year HAAM board member and served one year as president."HAAM is a wonderful organization," she said. "It's very near and dear to our hearts. We love the leadership and all of the staff members and board members who are continue its mission. Thank you, HAAM, for all you do for the people in our community who do not have the basic necessities, and thank you for this huge honor."The Chandlers increased their participation in HAAM seven years ago after having been 20-year donors to HAAM. Darryal Chandler served as chair of the HAAM board and is now on the advisory committee and the Club Corp Charity Golf committee, which benefits HAAM.Connie Chandler has been the HAAM fundraising co-chair for two years and has volunteered for many HAAM committees."They believe in HAAM and its mission of help and hope for those in need in our community," said Garalyn Sullivan, 2016 Pillars honoree. "They truly love HAAM and what it does and are grateful to the staff and volunteers for what they provide to thousands of residents each year. They have been blessed and enjoy giving back especially to those in need."The Koptas have been HAAM volunteers since 2002. Frank volunteers in the food pantry and Marlene has volunteered in client services."Frank and Marlene not only volunteer weekly, but are familiar faces at special events benefiting HAAM," said Rev. Barbara Bartling with Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Kingwood, one of HAAM's covenant churches. "Frank said, 'We enjoy our association with HAAM because it offers us an opportunity to serve persons not as blessed as we have been'."The night's program ended with a toast delivered by Jamie Selby of the Kingwood Country Club."To our Pillars," Selby said, "Thank you for your service. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for your volunteer spirit. Someone much wiser than I am once said, 'Volunteers don't get paid; not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.'"For more information about the Humble Area Assistance Ministries, visit https://haamministries.org/.